Vania



E. J. w. RAGSDALE BRAKE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR STEERING WHEELS FiledJune 16. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EARL 1M fiqsonLs.

I I I BY W/r/vEss: 1

40m WLM E. J. W. RAGSDALE BRAKE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR STEERING WHEELSFiled June 16-. 1922 2 Sheets-Shoat 2 INVENTOR.

ALTA/55: BY SDA'LE W hyi w ORNEY Patented Get. 2, 1923.

' UNITED STATES PATENT oF-eice.

EARL J. W. RAG-SDALE, OF NORRISTOVJN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BUDDWHEEL COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 015 PENNSYL-VANIA.

BRAKE-ACTUATING MECHANISIVI FOR STEERING WHEELS.

Application filed June 16, 1922.

To all who 1n it may concern lie it known that l. EARL J. lV. ltAosnALn,a citizen of the United States. siding; at lxorristown. Pennsylvania.have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l3rake-actuatingMechanism for Steering: lYheels. of which I declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in lin'akc actuating; mechanism forsteering wheels and has to do, more particularly, with actuating meansfor brakes mounted on the pivoted steering wheels of motor vehicles.

The main object of my invention to provide simple, inexpensive andeffective actna in; connections between. the brake controls on theautomobile chassis and the brain mounted on the pivoted steering wheels.I

.lnother object of my invention is to proide brake actuating mechanismin which the steering wheel brakes are actuated by a bl-s connected to acontrol member onthe d part of the chassis, the cable being so oisposcdand connected to the brakes on the votcd wheels, that the swivelinmovement the steering wheels has no eflecton the actuating" cable.

iother object 0t my invention is to vine simple'and e'tl'ective means orct ing the actuating mechanism and the, Hi mounted on the pivotedsteering whee that the swiveling movements of the wt in steering arewithout any'eflect upon the braire-actuating mechanism.

l urticr objects, and objects relating: to m and. ration, willdefinitely appear iron-i tiled description to follow. In one in .tanre.l accomplish the objects of my inven- .ion by the devices and meansdescribed in the tollowin g specification. hly invention :cfined andpointed out in the ill claims. A structure constituting 2 .c redembodiment of my invention i: ted in the accompanying drawings, a partof this specification, in

iii

Serial No. 568,837.

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation'ot the front axle :of a motor vehicleembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of oneend of the axle, the wheel and brakemechanism carried thereby being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional'view on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is sectional view online 4& of

showing the brake mechanism in elevation, and

Fig. 5 is detail, sectional view on line oi Fig. 2.

In the drawings, the same reference 'nu merals refer to the same partsthroughout the several views,'and the sectional. views are taken lookingin the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

The chief problem present in the appliczu lion of brakes to the steeringwheels oia motor vehicle is to provide meanstor actuatingthe brakeswhich are not efiecte'd by the swiveling movements of the steeringwheels. The wheels are usually mounted at the ends "or": the axle so astO' pivot or swivel around substantially vertical axes, and the brakemechanism necessarily partakes of these swiveling movements oi. thewheels. The brakes are actuated from a control or controls carried bytheautomobile frame and it is essential that the conne tions between thecontrol andv the brake i'nech lSlll should be such that theswivelingmovements of the wheels have no e'll'ect upon them, otherwise,the turning of the wheels, for i stance, when the car turns a corner,mini interfere with the proper application or release ofthe brakes. Aspointed out above, the object of my invention is to prosimple, intpensive and cli'eetive cow V the usual brake drum fixed to and rotatingthe cable engages this device at a point on the 1 pivotal axis .aroundwhich the wheel and ;brake mechanism swivels and the point oi connectionwith the brake-operatin member is always at the same distance from thisaxis, This device for changing the direc tion of the actuating cable maybe a pin, stud, idler pulley or similar device. A pulley is preferablein order to reduce the friction on the actuating cable. I prefer toconnectthe cable to the brake-operating member at a point which also onthe axis around which the wheel swivels. The result of this is that theentire stretch of cable between the dircction-changing device and thebrake-operating member lies in the pivotal axis of the wheel. Theconnection between the cable and the brake-operating member may beadjustable to provide for easy adjustment of the brakes. 7

Referring to the numbered parts of the accompanying drawings, in which Ihave illustrated one embodiment of my invention in connection with brakeactuating mechanism for the front wheels oi? a motor vehicle, the frontaxle, 10, has the lront or steering wheels, ll, mounted at the endsthereof so as to swivel and rotate with re q to the same flange.

spect thereto, in the usual manner. The wheel hubs, 1d, are rotatablymounted on the steering spindles, 12, the knuckles, 12-3, of which arejournaled on the ends oi the axle, 10, so as to swivel around an axiswhich, in this case, is inclined slightly from the vertical, as appearsin Fig. 1. The wheel disc, 15, is secured to a flange on the hub, Li,and the brake drum, 16, is fastened The b 'ake mechanism is carried bythe plate, 17, which is secured to the knuckle, 13, so that it swivelswith the wheel, and comprises a pair of brake shoes, 18, which engagetheiuner surface of the brake drum and are pivotallv sup- .i. rv portedfrom the plate, 1!, on the stun or These brake shoes are normally pin,19. drawn toward each other, and away from the brakin surface ol thebrill-IQ drum b 7 v the spring 28, the ends oi which are conconsistingof the links, 19, connected at 31, to the free ends of the brake shoes.A brake-operating lever, 20, extends through a slot in the plate, 17,and is pivoted, at 21, to cars, 2:2, projecting from the plate at thesides is the slot. The inner end, 30, oil the brake-operating member,20, extends through aligned openings in the adjacent ends of tie links,19, and constitu'es the ;=i. )tal connection between the said links ofthe toggle.

lhe brake-operating lever or member, 20, is actuated'by a flexiblecable, 25, the end of which is connected to the arm, 23, of said member.A threaded rod, 32-5, secured. to the end of the cable, extends througha hole, formed in the end of arm, 23, and a nut, 52 i, screwed on saidthreaded rod, engages the arm and thus makes an adjustable connectionbetween the cable and member, 20. The cable, 25, passes around the idlerpulley, carried by the bracket, 26, fixed on the axle, l0, near the endthereof, and thence around another idler pulley, 29, carried by abracket, 28, also lined'on the axle;

The brake mechanism for the other front wheel is actuated by a similarlyarranged cable, and the inner ends of the two ables may be connectedtogether and to a common member by which tension can be put upon the:from the brake control.

lt is to be noted that the cable, 25, leaves the pulley, 24, as itpasses towards the point. connection with the arm, 2-3, of the brake ofoperating member, at a point which lies in the 'tLKlS around which thesteering spindle, wheel hub and all parts carried thereby, swivel insteering movements of the wheel.

lonsequently, the distance from this point point on any non-rotatingpart swiveling around tli axis ill always be the same and, since thearm, 23, such a swivel- I .ing, non-rotating cart, tl'

distance between the end of said arm and the pulley, 2'2", will be thsame for all positions of the wheel about such axis.

in steering, therefore, has no effect on the operating ca lo and cannotinterfere with 23, lies in the the wheel.

ll hcn the t cables, through the br: (3 control lever,

(not shown) the brake per-sting members or levers, 20, are rocked ontheir pivots, 21,

tending to st ighten the toggle linkages,

19, between tne ads of the brake shoes, to

expand the br l drums agai st the tension of spring il hen the tensionon the cables is released, the springs, 28, return the brake the T heswiveling of the wheel etch of cable between pulley, 27, and arm, axisoi pi otal movement oi? driver puts a ension on the latter into brakingContact with '11s on the axis around sho'e'sto normal position. Thebrakes may be adjusted by adjusting the'nuts, 24, on the ends of thethreadedrods,"33.

The idler pulleys, 27, constitute devices for changing the direction ofthe actuating cables, 25,and the gist of my invention consists in solocating these direction-changing devices that the points, at which thestraight stretches of cable from said direction-changing devices to thebrake-operating members begin, are located on the axes around which thesteering spindles and, consequently, the brake mechanisms swivel. Theidler pulleys, 27, are the directio'n-changing devices but I am not tobe restricted to such pulleys as any other expedient for changing thedirection of the cable may be used as, for instance, pins, studs, oreyes engaged by the cable. I find it very desirable also to locate thepoint, at which the cable, .25, is connected tothe arm oi the brake-openating member, 20, on the axis around which the wheel swivels as, in thatcase, no movement whatsoever of that stretch of the cable is produced byswiveling movements of the wheel in steering. The adjustment of thebrakes is very easy and convenient as the nut, 24%, by which suchadjustment is made, is so locatedthatit is very readily accessible.Furthermore, this brake-actuating mechanism is very light, simple andinexpensive and permits the application of front wheel brakes to motorvehicles without the expense, added which, heretofore, have necessarilyfollowed the use of brakes on the front or steering wheels. 7 r I I amaware that the brake-actuating mechanism disclosed herein may be alteredconsiderably without departing from the spirit of my invention and,therefore, I claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appendedclaims.

lrlaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is i r 1. In a motor vehicle. thecombination of a relatively stationary axle, a spindle pivoted at theend of said axle, a wheel revolnbly mounted on said spindle, a brakedrum fixed to revolve with the wheel, brake mechanism coacting with saidbrake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, a cable connected toactuate said brake mechanism. and a direction-changing device for saidcable positioned to engagethe cable at a point on the axis around whichsaid spindle is pivoted.

2. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle,a spindle pivo'ted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on said spindle.a brake drum fixed to revolve with said .vheels. brake mechanismcoacting with said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, acable connected to actuweight and complications ate said brakemechanism, and a device for changing the direction of said cable solocated as to form a stretch of cable leading to the brake mechanismfrom a point on the axis around which said brake mecha nism swivels.

In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle, aspindle pivoted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on said spindle, abrake drum fixed to revolve with the wheel, brake mechanism coactingwith said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, a cableconnectedto actuate said brake mechanism, and a device for changing thedirection of said cable, said device being carried by the axle and sopositioned thereon that the cable engages the same at a point on theaxis around which the brake mechanism swivels.

at. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle,a spindle pivoted at the end thereof. a wheel mounted on said spindle, abrake drum fixed to revolve with the wheel, brake mechanism coactingwith said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, said brakemechanism in cluding a pivoted brakeoperating lever, a cable connectedto one arm of said lever, and a device for changing the direction ofsaid cable mounted on a relatively stationary part and engaging thecable at a point on the axis around which the brake mechanism swivels.

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle,a spindle pivoted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on said spindle, abrake drum fixed to revolve with the wheel. brake mechanism coactingwith said brake drum and mounted to swivel with the spindle. a cable foractu ating said brake mechanism, and a i iart fixed to the axle andengaging thecable to form a stretch thereof leading to the brakemechanism from a point on the axis around which said brake mechanismswivels.

6. 11] a motor vehicle, the combination oil? a relatively stationaryaxle, a spindle pivoted at the end of said axle. a wheel mounted on saidspindle, a brake drum fixed to revolve with the wheel. brake mechanismcoacting with said brake drum and mounted to swivel with the spindle, acable for ac tuating said brake mccnanism, and a part fixed on said axleand engaging the cable to form a straight stretch thereof leading to thebrake mechanism and lying on the axis around which said brake mechanismswivels.

7. Ina motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle. aspindle pivoted at the end oi said axle. a wheel mounted on saidspindle, a brake drum fixed to revolve with said wheel. brake mechanismcoacting with said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle,said brake mechanism including a pivoted brake-open said spi ailinglever, a cable connected to one arm otsaid lever at a point on the axisaround which said brake mechanism swivels, and a part fixed on saidaxleand engaging the cable at a point also on said axis to form astretch of said cable leading to said arm.

8. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle aspindlerpivotcd at the end the-reel, a wheel mounted on said spindle, abrace drum fixed to revolve with the wheel, brake mechanism coactingwith said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, said brakemechanism including pivoted brake-operating leveiya cable adjustablyconnected to one arm of said lever at' 'a point on the around which saidbrake mechanism swivels, and a device for changing the direction of saidcable, engaging said cable at a point also on said axis.

9. in a motor vehicle,the combination of a relatively stationary axle, aspindle piv- .oted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on said spindle,brake drum :lixed to revolve with the wheel, brake mechanism mounted tosa'ivel with said spindle and including a pair oi. pivoted brake shoescoacting with the brake drum, atop ,le interposed between the free endsot said brake shoes, and a pivoted brake-operating lever having one armengaging the toggle to actuate the same, a cable connector to theopposite arm oi said lever,

and a direction-changing device carried by the axle and engaging thecable at a point on the axis around which said brake mechanism swivels10. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle,spindle pivoted at the end thereof, a, wheel mounted on said spindle. a.bralre drum fixed to revolve with said wheel, a bl'ihlZQ-SUPPOTQ carriedby dle and swiveling therewith, bralre rried by said support and inapair of brake shoes pivoted thereto mech clu dr V i and coacting withthe b rake drum, a toggle interposed between the "tree ends of saidbrake shoes. and bralze-operating lever pivoted, on iid support andhaving one arm engaging: toggle to actuate the same and the othe mprojecting above the axle, an

' actnatin cable connected to the opposite end ot said lever, and adirection-changing device on the 2 saround which'said brake mechanismswivels.

7 ll. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationaryaxle, a spindle pivoted at the end .thcreot, wheel mounted on saidspindle, a brake drum fixed to revolve with said wheel. a brake-supportcarried by said spindle and swiveling therewith, brake 'mechanismcarried by said support and 1ncluding pair of brake shoes pivotedthereto and coacting with the brake drum, a toggle pivoted on saidsupport and having one arm engaging the toggle to actuate the same andthe other arm projecting above the axle, an actuating cable connected tosaid last-mentioned arm at a point on the axis around which the brakemechanism swivels, and a direction-changing device carried on arelatively stationary part and engaging the cable at a point also onsaid axis.-

12. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle,a spindle pivoted. at the end of said axle, a wheel mounted on saidspindle, a brake drum fixed to revolve with said wheel, brake mechanismcoatting with said brake drum and mounted to swivel with thespindle, acable connected to actuate said brake mechanism, and a pulley mounted ona relatively stationary part and engaged by the cable at a point on theaxis around which the brake mechanism swivels.

In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationary axle, aspindle pivoted at the end of said axle, a wheelmount.

ed on said spindle, a brake drum fixed to revolve with said wheel, brakemechanism reacting with said brakedrum and mounted to swivel with thespindle, a cable connected I swivels.

174i. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a relatively stationaryaxle, a spindlepivoted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted'on 7 saidspindle. a brake drum fixed to revolve with saidwheel brake mechanismcoactin' with said brake drum and mounted to swivel with said splndle,said mechanism including a pivoted brake-operating lever, an actuat inncable connected to one arm of said lever,"

and a pulley mounted on a relatively stationary part and so positionedas to engage the cable at a point on the axis around 'which' the brakemechanism swivels. I

15. In a motor vehicle, the comb nation of a relatively stationary axle,a spindle pivoted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on said spindle. abrake drum fixed to revolve with said wheel, brake mechanism coactingwith saidbrake drum and mounted to swivel with said spindle, saidmechanism including a pivoted bral c-operating lever, an actuating cableconnected to one arm of said lever at a point on the axis around whichsaid brake mechanism swivels, and a pulley mounted on a relativelystationary part and so positioned as to engage the cable at a point alsoon the said axis.

16. In a motor vehicle, the combination of, a relatively stationaryaxle, a spindle pivoted at the end thereof, a wheel mounted on saidspindle, a brake drum'fixed to revolve with said wheel, brake mechanismcoactlng wlth said brake drum and mounted to swivel With the spindle,said brake mechanism including a pivoted brake-operating lever anactuating cable, an adjustable connection between said cable and one armof said lever, and a pulley mounted on a relatively stationary part andengaged by the cable, said adjustable connection and pulley being solocated that the stretch of cable between the pulley and said connectionlies on the axis around 10 which the brake mechanism swivels.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature.

EARL J. W. RAGSDALE.

